All-Pro kick returner Braxton Berrios and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi would attract the most interest if they hit the open market. The Jets want to keep both players and have been talking to their agents -- for several months, in Fatukasi's case -- but there's a good chance they get to market.
"Obviously, we love Braxton," coach Robert Saleh said. "I’ve always sat up here and said it’s our job as a coaching staff to make [general manager] Joe Douglas’ job as hard as possible with regards to re-signing people."
Berrios, 26, is a fan favorite who made a lot of money with his strong finish (four touchdowns in his last three games), but is he a full-time receiver or a gadget player/return specialist? How the Jets answer that question will determine how much they're willing to pay.
In the five games in which he played at least 50% of the offensive snaps, Berrios averaged 5.4 receptions and 50.4 yards per game, which projects to 92 and 857 over a full season. No doubt, his agent is selling Berrios' upside, fueling speculation he could be seeking a deal in the $9 million-a-year neighborhood. It would be a surprise if the Jets go that high, considering they paid their WR3 and WR4 -- Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole, respectively -- $5.5 million apiece.
Fatukasi, who turns 27 on March 4, is a durable, high-character player who led the defensive line with 16 run stuffs (tackles for no gain or loss on run plays). In fact, he ranked fifth in the league in run-stuff percentage (5.75), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. On the downside, he was a first- and second-down player who didn't affect the quarterback (zero sacks). It's the sack stars who get the big money.
So how much is a top run stuffer, in the prime of his career, worth as a free agent? Fatukasi is thought to be seeking about $8 million per year, not an outrageous number when you consider Dalvin Tomlinson got $10.5 million per year last year from the Minnesota Vikings. The Jets, with big money invested in Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers, might not be willing to go that high. It's not an easy call. Their run defense wasn't very good, so he'd be a tough one to lose.
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"Obviously, we love Braxton," coach Robert Saleh said. "I’ve always sat up here and said it’s our job as a coaching staff to make [general manager] Joe Douglas’ job as hard as possible with regards to re-signing people."
Berrios, 26, is a fan favorite who made a lot of money with his strong finish (four touchdowns in his last three games), but is he a full-time receiver or a gadget player/return specialist? How the Jets answer that question will determine how much they're willing to pay.
In the five games in which he played at least 50% of the offensive snaps, Berrios averaged 5.4 receptions and 50.4 yards per game, which projects to 92 and 857 over a full season. No doubt, his agent is selling Berrios' upside, fueling speculation he could be seeking a deal in the $9 million-a-year neighborhood. It would be a surprise if the Jets go that high, considering they paid their WR3 and WR4 -- Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole, respectively -- $5.5 million apiece.
Fatukasi, who turns 27 on March 4, is a durable, high-character player who led the defensive line with 16 run stuffs (tackles for no gain or loss on run plays). In fact, he ranked fifth in the league in run-stuff percentage (5.75), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. On the downside, he was a first- and second-down player who didn't affect the quarterback (zero sacks). It's the sack stars who get the big money.
So how much is a top run stuffer, in the prime of his career, worth as a free agent? Fatukasi is thought to be seeking about $8 million per year, not an outrageous number when you consider Dalvin Tomlinson got $10.5 million per year last year from the Minnesota Vikings. The Jets, with big money invested in Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers, might not be willing to go that high. It's not an easy call. Their run defense wasn't very good, so he'd be a tough one to lose.
ESPN
